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Read other letters about this article
"I am extremely disappointed in you for writing the above. I am a racist ONLY as defined by some of those posting on this site, those so filled with faux virtue that I sometimes want to scream. I know full well who I am, I know my faults and shortcomings. Racism is most definitely not one of them, so whale away, all of you."
First of all, I'm sorry that I offended you. Honestly. I'm not here to offend anyone.
One of the reasons I think we misunderstand one another is because your model of "racist" is a binary one.
One either is or is not a racist.
Mine is very different.
I see racism as a culture that permeates everything, at least in this country. Like Obama's grandmother, one can tap into racism without being some kind of klansman or cardboard cutout of a racist.
Black people are implicated in racism as well, both towards other black people, towards themselves, and towards white people.
It's extremely complex and I understand that it's painful for white people to even entertain the notion that they might be implicated in racism, despite their sincerest belief in racial equality, but it's necessary to drop the gloves if we're to advance.
What's happening here is a microcosm of the Pastor Wright episode.
Lots and lots of bruised feelings and misunderstandings and assumptions and indignation, but not much listening.
I'm trying to listen, honestly.
"This will not change my awareness of certain realities, no more than it will change that of millions of other decent people in this country being subjected to the typically damaging, acidic intellectualism which permeates the far left. I have the courage of my convictions and I will continue to stand by them."
I'm not asking you to abandon your convictions, btw. Maybe others are, but I'm not.
I'm just trying to understand them.
